Tokyo-based Tsubame Notebooks are a household name in Japan. Their classic-looking speckled gray cover, black-taped spine, gold-embossed product number (including the founder's initials) and high-quality paper have remained unchanged over the years.

The first "Tsubame nōto" was launched 1947, as a simple, multipurpose notebook. Since then, generations of Japanese people have used them at school, work or home.

The notebooks are stitched for durability. Tsubame use a locally-developed absorbent and acid free-paper that enables the fountain pen to glide smoothly without pooling. The pages are also lined with water-based ink to avoid ridging.